Disclosure: this comparison is written by Eliian, the factory-direct option below. Competitor prices are taken from their own published US price pages, checked on 16 October 2026, and may have changed since.
Short answer: online custom-jersey services such as owayo and Custom Ink are fastest and simplest for a few pieces, with no minimum and delivery included. A factory-direct supplier is much cheaper per piece from about 10 pieces, but you wait longer, handle shipping and import duty, and approve a sample first. Catalog teamwear from Nike or adidas suits clubs that want a big-brand logo but not a fully custom design.
Price comparison: one sublimated soccer jersey
| Supplier | Published price per jersey | Minimum | Names and numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| owayo (F3 Basic jersey, US price list) | From USD 73 for 1; USD 49 each at 10; USD 47 at 20; USD 39 at 100 (lowest listed prices) | None | Included |
| Custom Ink (Premium sublimated jerseys) | USD 50–75 each at 12; USD 45–65 at 24; USD 40–60 at 50+. Its Turbo series starts around USD 28–31 at volume | Varies by style | Included for sublimated jerseys |
| Eliian (factory-direct, Xiamen) | USD 5.5–8 per jersey; USD 8–12.5 per jersey-and-shorts set | 10 pieces per design | Included |
Worked example: kits for a team of 10
- owayo: 10 F3 Basic jerseys at USD 49 plus 10 FP3 Basic shorts at USD 32 comes to about USD 810 before any extras.
- Custom Ink: 12 Premium sublimated jerseys at USD 50–75 comes to about USD 600–900 for jerseys alone.
- Eliian: 10 jersey-and-shorts sets at USD 11–12.5 comes to USD 110–125, plus air or express freight and import duty for your country. See our shipping cost guide for the USA or duty by country.
Delivery time
Custom Ink states standard production and delivery of about two weeks, with a one-week rush for an extra 15% and a three-business-day super rush for an extra 30%. owayo publishes guaranteed shipping dates on its production-time page. A factory-direct order takes longer: at Eliian, a free mockup within 24 hours, a physical sample in 5–7 days, bulk production in 15–20 days after sample approval, then shipping. Plan on four to six weeks in total by air.
Catalog teamwear from Nike or adidas
Big-brand teamwear catalogues offer fixed styles in set colours, usually bought through a local team dealer who adds crests, names and numbers. You get the brand logo and easy reorders of the same stock style, but not a fully custom design. If your club wants its own pattern, gradient or sponsor layout across the whole shirt, you need a sublimation supplier.
Which option should you choose?
| Your situation | Best fit |
|---|---|
| 1–9 jerseys, needed in two weeks | An online service such as owayo or Custom Ink |
| 10 or more matching kits, at least four weeks before the season | Factory-direct |
| The club wants a Nike or adidas logo on the shirt | Catalog teamwear through a local dealer |
| Reselling kits to several clubs | Factory-direct, see wholesale for distributors |
What else to compare besides price
| Factor | Online service | Factory-direct |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering | Online designer, checkout in minutes | Email or chat, mockup and written quote |
| Sample before bulk | Usually not needed for small runs | Physical sample before production |
| Design freedom | Templates and set options | Fully custom pattern, cut and fabric |
| Delivery and duty | Included to your door in their market | Freight and import duty on top; DDP available |
| Reorders | Simple online reorder | Same price, no new sampling or setup |
| Best quantity | 1–9 pieces | 10 pieces or more per design |
The costs a factory quote does not include
A fair comparison adds the costs that an online service already builds into its price. For a factory order, add:
- Sample: free for our ready-made designs; USD 50–150 for your own design, deducted from bulk orders of 100 pieces or more.
- Freight: air or express, quoted by weight and destination; see shipping cost to the USA.
- Import duty and tax: depends on your country; see the duty guides for the UK, EU, Canada and Australia.
- Payment fees: bank transfer fees, or a platform fee if you pay through PayPal or a card.
Even with these added, ten factory-direct kits usually cost a fraction of the online price. The trade-off is time: order at least four to six weeks before you need the kits.
A simple way to decide
- Count the pieces: under 10 per design, an online service is usually simpler.
- Check the date: with less than three weeks to the first match, use an online service or a local supplier.
- Check the design: if you want your own pattern, sponsor layout or cut, ask a factory for a free mockup.
- Compare the landed cost: factory price plus freight and duty against the online price delivered.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a cheaper alternative to owayo for team jerseys?
For 10 or more pieces, ordering from a factory is usually several times cheaper per jersey. The trade-off is a longer lead time and handling shipping and import duty yourself.
Do these suppliers charge extra for names and numbers?
owayo says names and numbers are included in its prices, Custom Ink includes them for sublimated jerseys, and Eliian includes them at no extra cost.
Can I see the quality before paying for a factory order?
Yes. A good factory sends a physical sample before bulk production. At Eliian, samples take 5–7 days for jerseys, and you can pay through Alibaba.com Trade Assurance, PayPal or credit card for extra protection.
Is a factory-direct order risky?
It carries more steps: you approve a sample, arrange payment and handle import duty. Reduce the risk with a physical sample, a written quote and a protected payment method such as Alibaba.com Trade Assurance.
Which option is fastest?
Online services. Custom Ink states about two weeks standard, with paid rush options. A factory-direct order takes about four to six weeks by air.
Sources: owayo US soccer price list; Custom Ink: how much do custom jerseys cost; Custom Ink sublimated soccer jerseys. All checked 16 October 2026.